This Terry Stadler with the MEC Hotline
for Thursday, June 12th, 2003. Tonight’s topics include:
1. Fatigue Issue
I want to read a report from our
grievance committee on a statement made today at the Chief Pilot’s
hearing.
“During discussion about a
grievance, in which a pilot had called in fatigued but whose line in
maestro showed SK, the representative from Crew Resources remarked that
if the pilot called in sick when he was in actuality fatigued the
company could accuse said pilot of fraud and might refer the matter back
to the Chief Pilot’s office for possible Section19 action. He further
stated that the company would require the pilot to pay back the sick
time taken. Crew Resources then stated that they would investigate to
determine weather the pilot had called in sick or fatigued.”
This is an outlandish attempt to force
pilots to make a monetary decision concerning a safety issue. We will
not now or ever condone this type of pilot pushing. The whole premise of
having a sick bank is to avoid having to fly when you are unfit and
therefore unsafe. We urge the company to approach this issue from a
pairing build stand point and fix the underlying problem. If you become
sick as a result of acute fatigue call in sick. Do not place the
company, the passengers and your fellow employees at risk by continuing
to operate as a crew member.
The MEC and the CASC have been fighting
the fatigue issue for years at AWA. In the process of working this issue
we have had to fight against coercion and intimidation practices to keep
pilots flying aircraft fatigued in violation of the FAR’s and the
Company Operational Philosophy, which states in order of importance
Safety, Legality, Passenger Comfort, Economy, and last Reliability of
Schedules.
If you encounter a fatigue situation in
your duty period, or any safety issue, follow the FAR’s and the Company
Operating Philosophy.
2. Age 60
As of today the age 60 bill has died
and will not be considered for any further action in the senate at this
time.
Over the last week we have received
numerous e-mails and phone calls concerning this issue both pro and con.
This MEC is committed to abiding by the wishes of this membership. When
a resolution is passed you can expect aggressive action being taken to
implement said resolution, as was done in this case. We are committed to
implementing the pilot’s wishes and as such will take the needed steps
to ensure that the position of the majority of our pilots is taken.
3. System Board
The four-member System Board of
Adjustment held their regular 2nd quarter hearing on June 9 and 10 at
the AWA MEC offices. One contract dispute concerning short-term
disability and two pilot discharge cases were presented. Company board
members were Crew Resources Director Mr. Mike Finn and Vice President of
Human Resources, Ms. Shirley Kaufman. Captains Nehez, Blandino and Neff
served as Association board members.
The board met in executive session on
the afternoon of the hearing’s second day to consider all the evidence
and testimony. The board deadlocked 2-2 concerning the insurance matter.
Look for a more complete explanation of this dispute and additional
system board activities in the next Phoenix Flight. The Board adjourned
without decision on the two discharge cases, but will re-convene this
coming Monday on these issues.
The board’s next scheduled event is an
arbitration hearing with Arbitrator Bloch on July 10th and 11th. The 3rd
quarter regular system board of adjustment will be held during the week
of August 25. The specific hearing dates and case agenda will be
finalized before the end of July.
- Fatigue Issue
- Age 60
- System Board Hearing
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